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The Pilots |
Larry Arken, Squadron Commander Larry Arken, residing in Hicksville, N.Y., is a Captain with American Airlines and has been flying since he was a child sitting in the co-pilot seat behind his father, Mort. Larry is a New York native, has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Queens College and a bachelor's degree in business from Edison State University. He started his career flying warbirds and corporate jets while growing up. Flying Falcon 10's, 20's and 50's, he later flew DC-8's for UPS before flying with American. The consummate aviator, he presently flies a P-47, F4U and P-51 for the Air Power Museum in Farmingdale, NY. Larry also holds a NATA designation as a formation check pilot.
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Steve Salmirs, Executive Officer I had an interest in aviation from an early age. My father worked for NASA in Newport News, VA. as an aeronautical engineer, and introduced me to flight in 1973. After attending William and Mary College for two years, I transferred to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida to earn my degree while accumulating flight time and ratings. Graduating in 1980, I went to work at Kennedy Space Center as a Calibration Engineer, flying charters and flight instructing on the side. In 1982, I was accepted into the USAF, earned my wings, flew F-16 fighters for five years, and instructed in T-37s for three more. Presently a copilot on the B777 for a major airline, I continue to fly general aviation as much as I can. I am a NATA formation Lead Pilot and instructor, as well as the unoffical publications, standardization, and operations procedures writer for the Skytypers. The Skytypers have flown with me since 1995, and I consider it an honor to call all the pilots and mechanics my friends! |
Bob Johansen, Flight Leader An early interest in aviation led Bob to flying lessons at age 17 using 65 hp. Aeronca "Champs" out of a grass strip near Detroit. He got his private license in 1958 and flew as much as he could afford through college. Being subject to the draft and unable to get a real job until his military obligation was satisfied, he decided to "Fly Navy" for five years, gaining multiengine, instrument, and carrier experience. Shipboard duty was interesting, but a Navy career doesn't really provide a long flying span, so he moved on to airline flying in 1966. In 1977, a friend introduced Bob to the Skytypers, flying Navy SNJ2 trainers out of Flushing Airport, a small airstrip next to LGA. Thus began a new career with Mort and Larry Arken, doing aerial advertising and airshows. The camaraderie and professionalism associated with the group as well as the pleasure of operating these "taildragging" workhorses of the WWII era with their 600 hp. "round" engines keeps the older guys young. |
Fred Pasternack, Pilot Both professional pilot and physician, Fred Pasternack has been Skytyping since 1975. He is rated to fly everything from balloons to LearJets, with flight instructor ratings in everything he flies. Additionally, he is a Colonel and Chief Flight Surgeon in the Air National Guard where he initially honed his formation skills in the back seat of F-100s and is currently assigned to F-15s. He is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and Independent Medical Sponsor for the FAA and a practicing cardiologist. Additional activities of his have included skydiving, motor car racing, and SCUBA diving. |
Ed Trudeau, Pilot started his aviation career in 1954 by joining the NY Air Guard. He then completed USAF Pilot Training (one of the last Aviation Cadet classes) in October 1957, and flew fighters from 1957 to 1977, (F-94, F86, A37). He then became an FAA Air Traffic Controller in 1959. where he managed Wilkesbarre, Kennedy, and Rochester Towers, until retiring in 1996. Along the way, he obtained Commercial/Instrument, SEL, MEL(1958) and accumulated approximately 7000 hours civilian SEL and MEL. Ed has been with the Skytypers since 1982. |
Gordon Lamb, Pilot Gordon earned his pilot's license, with private glider rating, in 1947. While earning a degree at Princeton, he ran an aerial photography company, and an informal air-taxi to many of the young ladies' educational institutions in the Northeast. Needless to say, he had a blast. Earning his Navy Wings in 1953, he flew in Korea in Vaught Corsairs as a carrier based pilot for Fighter Squadron VF-74. Moving east to the Wall Street scene in 1958, he became President of the New York Stock Exchange Flying Club, the New York State Governor of the Soaring Society of America, the Standard Class Soaring Champion of New England, and of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Gordon has been with Mort and the Skytypers forever it seems, and is always a wealth of aviation knowledge. |
Steve Kapur, Pilot, Marketing Director Steve currently lives in Bridgeville, Pa., and has a commercial pilot's license and is a flight instructor. A New Jersey native, he has a bachelor's degree in marketing from St. Norbert College and a master's degree in marketing from Marquette University. Here is a laundry list of just a few of Steve's achievements: -Marketing professional with 20+ years of success. |
Tom Daly, Pilot Tom grew up on the south shore of Long Island, New York where he went on his first airplane ride at eight years old. He took his first flying lesson at Zahns Airport in 1967. He received his Bachelors Degree from Dowling College's first official Aeronautics class of 1971 and his Masters Degree from CW Post College in Criminal Justice. After college he became a special education teacher at the elementary level in Nassau County. |
Rob Steo, Pilot A graduate of Manhattan College, and a former Air Force jet pilot, Rob has seen the world a couple of times over, with more hours logged than he cares to admit. As a captain for a major airline he flies with the Skytypers on the weekends to hang out with the guys, keep his skills sharp, and have more fun than most people dream of. Rob is a Brooklyn native, loves "typing" over his old stomping grounds, and still can remember the "COPPERTONE" ad the Skytypers did 30 years ago. How's that for a lasting impression! "I still can't believe I actually fly with these guys!" |
Ken Johansen, Pilot Ken Johansen first flew with the Skytypers as an eight year old. He'd already caught the aviation bug from his father, Skytyping Instructor Pilot Bob Johansen, and this flight sealed his fate. Ken graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1989 and earned his Navy Wings in 1991. He went on to fly P3's on both coasts with VP23 and VP46. His career took him to the Netherlands where he flew P3's with the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1996 to 1998. Ken left the active duty Navy and was hired by TWA where he flew MD80's, B757's and B767's, he was also hired by VR52 in Willow Grove Pennsylvania as a Navy Reserve Pilot flying DC9's around the world. Ken enjoys flying Aeronca Champs, Citabrias and Stearmans out of a small grass strip in Northern Pennsylvania with his two sons. "Flying with the Skytypers has brought my flying career full circle and I consider being a part of this group of professionals an honor and a privilege" |
Vinny Nasta, Pilot Vinny Nasta was born in Brooklyn but grew up on Long Island, NY. He began taking flying lessons shortly after graduating from The School of Visual Arts in New York City and has since flown about 100 different airplane types. He has been flying for over 23 years. Vinny began his career as a freelance artist, and is now a teacher and a flight instructor specializing in tailwheel and aerobatic instruction. He has flown competition aerobatics and currently enjoys flying with the Skytypers as well as flying in airshows. Vinny recently stated that his favorite airplane to fly is the one he’s about to fly next. |
Jim Record, Pilot Jim is a native NY’er born in Brooklyn and grew up in the Cradle of “Flying with Mort, Larry and my fellow Skytypers is about as good as it |
